While Formula One’s troupe arrived in Bahrain to rain, of all things, Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo flew to London for a secret summit with Bernie Ecclestone to discuss problems with this season’s controversial regulations and the future ownership of the whole billion-dollar sport.

Luca Di Montezemolo is concerned that viewing figures in Europe fell for last weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix, reflecting Ferrari’s online poll that found 78 per cent of the 35,000-plus respondents did not like the new formula.The Ferrari president told Ecclestone that the new regulations, including the 100kg per hour fuel flow regulation that saw Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo disqualified in Australia, are too complex and argued against a cost cap.

The two men decided to hold a meeting with FIA president Jean Todt in the Bahrain paddock on Saturday in an attempt to find a quick resolution.

Also under discussion in London was whether Ecclestone, with the involvement of teams such as Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren and Mercedes, might buy back a majority holding in the sport.

In Bahrain, organisers are hoping for a peaceful weekend following the anti-government protests which forced the 2011 race to be abandoned.

There were no reports of problems from any of the teams arriving in Bahrain on Wednesday. The only visible change from last year are concrete blocks along the hard shoulder of the road to the circuit.